...so many Disney Dooneys...

Disclaimer right off the bat...

I don't wear fancy clothes {Old Navy, Lane Bryant or Target...always with coupons}...

I don't wear fancy shoes {always Converse or flip-flops.  Always}

In the grand scheme of things, my purses aren't that fancy.  They aren't even {all that} expensive.  There are bags out there that are pricier.

Of course, I could buy a bag from Target for $25. 

But that bag wouldn't be a Disney Dooney, now would it???

I have posted about them before. 

I have bought a few since that post.

I finally got my beloved Aulani tote.



photo: Google images...
and they are crediting it to robot celeb dot com ?!?!?

No, this isn't a photo of my tote.  The girl I am buying the tote from sent me pics, and I saved them to my laptop.  My laptop.  The one that is being repaired now.  Not really repaired, but maintained (???). 

I digress.

I have the pics on a memory card {is that what they're called?!?!?} and it is across the room.  I am so sore, I can hardly move...and I am not getting up to get it.

Anyway, I am getting a bag just like this, it should come this week...and I am going to love it.  {I also won an Aulani wristlet on evilBay at about 2am this morning}  I am so in love with this purse, but like so many of my Disney Dooneys, I am going to drool over it when I take it out of the package, but then it is going to hide in my closet for awhile, so Big Daddy doesn't notice right away. 

He thinks that I "trade" my Dooneys with a group on Facebook.

Sure, I "trade" them money via PayPal. 

photo: Disney Parks Blog

I have also acquired a WDW Princess 1/2 Marathon Tote {with Marathon Dangle...available only at the marathon expo during marathon weekend}

This is funny because I have not ran a 1/2 Marathon.  I have not ran anything.  Ever.  Well, maybe ran up a credit card bill.
My bag is the one in the lower right corner.  The big one.

Of course it is.






I also got the Minnie Bow Tote.  I had to get a bag to match my wristlet, before Disney goes and discontinues this print or something.

photo: Disney Store

I also won {from evilBay} a First Edition Sketch Wristlet...with awesome Walt Disney World placement.  It was like a dream.  The First Edition Sketch pattern had separate Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Dooney & Bourke banners.  The newer Sketch patterns have a combined WDW/DL banner and no D&B banner at all.  This having such a great WDW banner was meant to be mine. 

photo: eBay (this is the one I won!!!)

When this wristelt snaps shut the WDW banner will be prominent.  So will Mickey's shoes, but the banner is what I wanted most.  It makes it most special to me.  Hey, anything is better than two Dumbo butts {more on that later}.


I have many, many, many more Disney Dooneys on my wishlist.  Ones that I haven't even known that I wanted.  Some, have been pushed further back.  I have been saving my money {five dollar bills, to be exact} little by little...and have saved $125 in about six weeks, totally effortlessly {possible blog to follow???} ...not earth-shattering, BUT a good chunk of my Buttons tote...



photo: eBay (via Google images)

This currently retails $245.  Oh, I already have the wristlet in this pattern and I *love* it.  I also have a Disneyland Retro wristlet on my wishlist.  AND Disney just announced the release of the Walt Disney World Retro pattern. 

So mine.

So many Disney Dooneys, so little time (and so little money).

I sat down with every intention of writing about all of the new Disney Dooney items...that will come.  I just had to share some of my new finds!!!

Love to All.

What, Disney Stress Me Out?!?!?

So, we are going on a magical, 9-day Walt Disney World vacation.  This will be Little Man's fifth "real" trip there.  I don't even know how many times Big Daddy and I have been...between travelling there, living there and working there.  We are "seasoned" pros.  We have done it before, and we will do it again.

This time, I'm stressing out.

You see, I am not a planner.  Big Daddy and I go to Walt Disney World in a "Cast Member" frame of mind.  We take things leisurely.  We don't stress out over FastPasses, we don't worry about getting the best seat for Fantasmic! (or the Main Street Electrical Parade or Illuminations: Reflections of Earth...you get the picture).  We sleep in until we wake up...if a line is a little too long, we come back during a parade or show and hope it is shorter. 

We have a "if we don't see it this time, there is always next time" attitude.

This time is a little different.  I can't put my finger on it.  I think it stems from dining reservations.

Yes.  Dining reservations are stressing me out.

We are going when {it is rumored} that the "Free Dining" promotion will be ending.  No, Disney has not officially released the dates...it is said that some Guests have been mailed those magical PIN Codes for free dining during the dates of our stay.  I *think* I have also heard that the dates have been released for Disney Visa cardholders {I could be confused, all of the rumors and whatnot spread like wildfire on the Internet}.  Whatever.  That being said, Disney Dining fills up, and fills up fast...especially if the word "free" is involved.

I knew our 180-day window for making our dining reservations was approaching.  I consulted disneyworld.com for park hours and special events during out 8-night stay.  I also had to take into considertaion that we have family and friends that we will want to see when we are there.  The whole point of booking this trip at the time we did {at Christmas} was for a Family Reunion with Big Daddy's family.  We have a 6-Day Park Hopper ticket to work with {I am secretly going to add a day to make it a 7-Day} so we can fit in friends and family on our "extra" days.  We are also going to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.  That is only running on certain nights of our stay, so I wanted to make sure no dining reservations conflicted with that.

I have never, ever "mapped out" our trip.  Yes, I have made dining reservations.  Yes, we have attended seperate, hard-ticket events such as MVMCP and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  Heck, I have even had to work around a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and all that entailed.  We are "go with the flow" kind of people, yet this trip I find myself working with park hours, shows and travel time {relying SOLEY on Disney Transportation}.  I have not gotten to the point where I make a spreadsheet on Excel, but I have a legal pad and clipboard dedicated entirely to this trip.  We are staying at the new Art of Animation resort, in a Little Mermaid Standard room.  I have no idea how we will make it from there, to say the Polynesian Resort for breakfast with Mickey and friends.  It is not a straight shot.

{this is also the longest stay we have ever booked at a "Value" resort...we will see how that goes}

I set my alarm for 4:45 the morning that I could begin making our reservations.  My body woke me up at 4:00.  I fired up the laptop and began tapping away.  Staying at a Walt Disney World resort, I was able to book 180+10 days in advance {180 days from our check-in date, and up to 10 days after that for our length-of-stay}  Of course, so many choices were already booked...I didn't even try Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot.  Even Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort was tough to get a decent time.  What???  This was my 180th day, and things were being booked up waaayyy past that.  I was getting frustrated.

What is so magical about having to micro-manage my trip???  What is so magical about not getting a chance to eat someplace new???  I mean, we are a party of three, not twelve...we will even take a table in the corner, by the kitchen door, in the dark if we have to...just to experience something new.

I was able to get everything that I had "mapped out", but I went in knowing that places like Le Cellier and Chef Mickey's would be "bonus" if I could get in.  Pretty much, everything will work with our "schedule".  I was able to get some places we haven't been to, or haven't been to in a long time.  I was able to come up with two options on most days, figuring we have a little while to make our decision...and will definitely cancel in plenty of time, given Disney's Credit Card Guarantee policy.

Here is a quick rundown of the options we have for our trip...

Day 1 ~ (arrival time, unknown...no park that day) T-Rex at 9:30 pm (great time...and this is what I get booking on day 180?!?!?) or Rainforest Cafe' in Downtown Disney at 5:00 or 7:00.  We are leaning toward Rainforest Cafe', as that is what Little Man asked for.  I am not sure what time to keep, since we don't know what time we will be arriving.

Day 2 ~ this one is up-in-the-air...we have breakfast reservations at Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  The last couple of times we have been to WDW, we haven't even set foot in DAK.  I haven't been to Tusker House in years.  I don't even know if Big Daddy has ever been.  Little Man has never been.  This would be good, since it is a character dining experience AND a buffet.  We could finish breakfast then bang out the few things we would want to see at DAK then have the rest of the day to do whatever.  We also have 5:40 dinner reservations to Chef Mickey's.  The dinner there is tried-and-true for us.  We are usually pleased with the offerings {I am a HUGE fan of the chicken tenders and Mickey-Roni-and-Cheese...on the kid's buffet} and we get to see the Fab 5.  No brainer, it is popular.  The advantage to this reservation is that Epcot is open until 12:30 am...after dinner, we could just hop the Monorail over and spend time over there.  {did I mention, we are night owls and love, love, LOVE the  late-night Extra Magic Hours}

Day 3 ~ I made a 8:00 breakfast reservation to 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  This is one for me.  Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland.  Sign me up.  I haven't been there for this breakfast in years.  Years. {probably 15-ish years}  I have had dinner there a few times since, but not breakfast.  This is one of my favorites.  We also have ressies at Mama Melrose's at Disney-MGM 's Hollywood Studios.  This was an "add-on" in the event that the boys put their foot down to having breakfast with Mary and Alice.

Not gonna happen.

Day 4 ~ I pretty much decided {in my head} that this was going to be our Disney-MGM 's Hollywood Studios Day.  With my luck, everyone else in Central Florida will probably decide that as well.  DHS is open until 11pm {again, LOVE those late-night EMH} so that means time for Fantasmic! {which I can still recite from my Cast Member days} AND the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  I have made dinner reservations at both 50's Prime Time Cafe' (5:45) and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (7:05).  Little Man is leaning toward Sci-Fi.  He heard "movies" and "eat in a car" and was pretty much sold.  We have to check the times for Fantasmic! and see what will work best.

Day 5 ~ Apparently I decided this would be a good day for Epcot, because I made reservations for Via Napoli for both lunch (2pm) and dinner (4:30pm).  I *think* my reasoning was that the Magic Kingdom would be open until 1am.  We could play in Epcot, eat, then head over to MK for some EMH magic. 

Day 6 ~ This is the evening we are going to MVMCP at the MK...so I made just one reservation to Liberty Tree Tavern.  I loved this restaurant when it was Character Dining.  I understand the menu is pretty much the same, just sans characters.

Day 7 ~ I was kind of stumped on this one.  I booked 'Ohana Best Friends Character Breakfast for 7:30 and the buffet in Germany at the Biergarten at 5:50 that evening.  We have been to 'Ohana for breakfast {and dinner} and we really, REALLY liked it.  As far as the Biergarten goes, Big Daddy has never been, I haven't been in YEARS, but Little Man went when my parents took him to WDW when he was five.  It was apparently his favorite meal the whole time.

Day 8 ~ I actually have three reservations this day.  Crystal Palace for breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and his friends.  I actually loathe Pooh.  The food is supposed to be some of the best breakfast food on property.  This is a buffet, so Big Daddy will be happy.  Little Man loved dinner here when my parents took him.  This is one that I could give or take.  I have also made a reservation to La Hacienda de San Angel for dinner at 4:15.  I really just want a margarita.  I love Mexican, and want to try this sit-down option {last time, we breezed through the pick-up window...and I got a margarita}.  I have also made a dinner reservation to Whispering Canyon Cafe' at the Wilderness Lodge resort.  I think Big Daddy will like this one.

Day 9 ~ this is kind of our "bonus" day...if we have any sit-down credits left, we can use them at either Whispering Canyon Cafe' for breakfast {provided we don't have dinner there the night before} or lunch at Olivia's at Old Key West, which is our family favorite.  I think it would be a nice way to "wind down" before we go home.

See what I mean about stressing out?!?!?  I haven't even BOOKED our Candlelight Dinner Package yet.

I am just going to let it roll...whatever happens will happen, and this is going to be a wonderful trip.

I hope.

Love to All.

Chairs, Wooden Decks and Basement Stairs...Oh My!!!

I celebrated a birthday almost two weeks ago.  I have been meaning to sit down and write this post for awhile.

Let's just say that I haven't hit a "milestone" yet, but I am dangerously close.

I am going to be 40 in less than a year.

This should be no surprise to me.

I am not afraid of 40.  30 did not bother me.  25 was hard, but 30 was nothing.

When I turned 30, I was happy.  I had very little to worry about.  I was living in Florida {where the sun shines every day, right?!?!?} I was working for Disney.  I was engaged.  I was carefree.  I was truly happy.

I am not sure what happened.

I am happy, but I am not 100%.

Depression is ugly.  I *think* I have a handle on the anxiety.  The mood swings, the extreme highs and lows...not so lucky.

Not only do I struggle with depression like I never have before, but my weight is a huge issue.

Perhaps my weight has something to do with the depression.  {you think???}

I now weigh more than the average WWE Wrestler.

Have you seen those guys?!?!?  They are huge.  Believe me, I don't look near as good as they do.

I am scared.

Not scared of dying or anything {though I really, am...but not about dying because I am fat, if you can believe that}.  I am scared of breaking things.

Chairs TERRIFY me. 

Back after Little Man was born, I went to a dear friends house.  She had moved back in with her parents, it was a home that I had been in many times over the past 20+ years.  The house was comfortable and familiar.

Or so I thought.

I felt like a giant in this house.  Super-weird.

I sat on one of their chairs (the same chairs I sat on for years and years and years).  They were rolling-type kitchen chairs.

I popped a wheel off.

My friend said it happened all of the time, because of the age of the set.

I think she was being polite.

Mind you, I have put on about 50 lbs since Little Man was born.  So about 50 lbs since this chair incident.

We went to my sister's house for a barbecue over this Memorial Day weekend.

I couldn't enjoy myself for fear that I would break one of her dining room chairs.

Or the deck.

She has a small wooden deck leading to her backyard from her back door.  Five wooden steps.

I hate that deck.

It wobbles.

I also hate basement stairs.  My stairs are okay.  They are exposed, so they are reinforced and carpeted.  I don't like regular basement stairs.

I hate the thoughts that are in my head.  I hate that I can TOTALLY see these thoughts paralyzing me one of these days.  I hate that my weight is holding me back.

So where am I going with this???

I am determined to lose #40by40.

Yes.  40 lbs lost in a year.

I can do it.

I have done it before.


Love to all.

Finishing One Chapter, Starting Another...

Tomorrow is going to be a weird day.

The last day of preschool for Little Miss M.

Kind of bittersweet.  I have been with her since she started preschool a year and a half ago.

Way back when she was three.

She has grown SO much and she has come a long way.

She has wonderful parents {her mom is amazing} and they are supportive in what is going on.

She is ready for kindergarten.

I hope she does okay over the summer.  I am afraid of being out of school for more than two months is going to make back-to-school rough.

I had to step back and make a pretty tough decision.  I was asked if I wanted to continue taking care of Little Miss M when she goes on to kindergarten.

I said no.

I needed to step back and think about what would be best for her.  She is ready to move on.  She needs someone new.  Yes, kids like Little Miss M and my own Little Man thrive on routine and familiarity.  They don't like when things don't go as planned, or as expected. 

I think she will benefit from leaving preschool behind and moving forward to kindergarten.

Now, I won't tell you that transitioning to kindergarten won't be rough for her.  I have a feeling her teacher, parents, new para, everyone involved will be learning a lot about her over the first few weeks.

She might bite.  She might hit.  She might stab with scissors.

But she might not.  She hasn't done that in a long time.

She is growing up.

She will do just fine.

Even if that means leaving me behind.

She needs a new voice and a new pair of eyes.

She needs to spread her wings.

I hope I do as well as she is going to.

I think I'll be okay.

I took on a part-time position {27 hours} working one-on-one with a special needs kindergartener.

This means I can go back to school.

One step at a time.

Love to All.

I'm back...I Took the Time Off to Study (yeah, that is my story...)

I don't even know where to begin.

I am a hot mess.

There has been a lot going on in the last month or so since I've sat down and blogged.

I have lots of great blogs. {in my head)

Things are slowing down.  Just a little bit.

I am getting back into the whole social media thing.  Twitter.  Facebook (never left, really).  Pinterest (haven't left there, either).  Instagram (my new favorite.  Watch out.)

I passed my Para Praxis yesterday.  That takes the pressure off.  I passed with 480.  They never really gave me a grading scale, just that in order to pass, you had to score 458.  Of course, I Googled it, and apparently 480 is the highest you could score.  I was confused, because I missed a few questions according to my preliminary results.

Whatever.  I don't care.  I passed.

Now, in my head, I was supposed to study every. single. night.

Didn't happen.

I pinned about 387 pins to my various Pinterest boards.

In one night.

Didn't study at all.

That's how I roll.

If everything else in my life worked so neatly.

Can I start pinning crap, and my house becomes instantly clean?!?!?

A girl can dream

Love to All.

I Did It (Again) and Why I Feel Stuck

I joined Weight Watchers.

Again.

It works, I just have to work at it.  I am getting back into tracking, watching, measuring, weighing.  It is going to take some work.  Work, emotionally as well.

I can do okay...eat well for most of the day...then see Dove Chocolate Bars at the checkout at Walgreens.

Wow.  3 Dove bars for $2.00???  Sign me up.

Got home.  Ate.  All.  Three.  I didn't even think about it.  I didn't even taste them. I wasn't even hungry.  They weren't even satisfying.  Not 100% sure what I was looking for.

Today has been better.  Not by much, but better.

Big Daddy wanted McDonald's (of course).  When I was leaving for work, he let me know this, and asked if I would pick it up on my way home around 1:00.  Sure.  I can do that.  I can get a salad.  Big Daddy says he doesn't go to McDonald's for salads.  I tell him that I actually like them, that they are pretty good.

He asks, "so this means you are never eating a burger and fries again???"

"Of course not."  I reply.  "I just won't be getting two double cheeseburgers, a chicken sandwich, a large fries and a diet Coke."

Before you gag, this is what my McDonald's order was "up to", when I didn't order a salad.

"That is what I don't get about 'you people'..." he begins.  {huh???  You people???  People trying to eat just a little better?!?!?}  "You won't get a couple of double cheeseburgers from the drive-thru, but you have no problem eating a burger or two when their made at home".

What the???  Why is he arguing with me???  Why is he bringing up homemade burgers???  All I said is that I wanted a salad.  Defensive much???

"I never said that.  I will still eat homemade burgers...maybe cut out the bun, eat a salad with it, still have fries, but not half-a-cookie-sheet worth...all things in moderation, right???  Just support me on this".  I said.

He said, "We'll see how long it lasts."

A**hole.

This could be why I feel stuck.

After work today, I went to McDonald's and drove my fat a** through that drive-thru.  I got Big Daddy his Big Mac Meal (large-size) with a diet Coke and two "extra" McDoubles (basically, a double cheeseburger with only ONE piece of cheese).  I got a Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch salad with Low Fat Italian Dressing and a large diet Coke.  Eight Weight Watchers PointsPlus total.

I also got two Big Mac Snack Wraps.  Ate them in the car.  Destroyed the evidence. 

When nobody sees me eat, it never happened, right?!?!?

This is going to be quite a journey.

Love to All.

Man, Disney Is Up To It Again...

Okay, so a bright lining has been found in a sour couple of weeks.

Disney announced new Dooney & Bourke patterns on Tuesday.

Yes.  This makes me happy.  Very, very happy.

Not sure that it will make my wallet (my really cute Walt Disney World wallet that my sister brought home for me) or Big Daddy happy for that matter.  Who cares???  I need a little sunshine in my life, and these come out right in time for Mother's Day.

According to The Art of Disney Parks website and the official Disney Parks blog, two new Dooney & Bourke collections are set to debut on May 12th.  One, is exclusive to the Disneyland Resort.  Reason for us to book a trip to California???  I think so.  {also worth noting that as a self-proclaimed "Disney Nerd, I NEED to walk down the same Main Street, USA that Mr. Walt Disney himself walked down}

The Disneyland exclusive collection looks to be called, simply Retro.  Oh my goodness, I have never been to Disneyland, but I have to have a bag (or two) in this pattern.  According to the The Art of Disney Parks website, the new line will "be available in a variety of popular silhouettes including a wristlet, mini barrel, tassel tote, satchel, letter carrier as well as an iPad case. Prices range from $78 - $268".   

Here are some photos from the Disney Parks blog.

 

This is the iPad case.  This item seems to be creating the most buzz on the internet so far!!!

 

This is the letter carrier.  Not my style of bag, but I know it is incredibly popular for use as an in-park bag.  Since I either carry enough for a small army, or nothing at all, I have never considered a "real"purse for use as an in-park bag.  This all could change.

Here is the mini-barrel bag.  Disney and Dooney have been releasing more of this style bag, I think it started with the Comics collection back in December.  I have heard pros and cons about this bag on the internet.  Probably too small for my use, and can't justify the price for use as a makeup or gym bag.

The satchel.  I am not sure of the dimensions of this bag.  If it is like the Large Sketch bag or 40th Anniversary Kristen bag, it is probably too large for my use.  Overall, this is my favorite style in this print.  I will have to see the size of the bag before I make any decision.

Tassel tote.  This looks like it could be more of the size that I use on a daily basis, but what is up with the tassels???  Too long.  They look kind of out of place on this bag.  Just doesn't quite fit.  That is also the general consensus on the Disney Dooney Facebook Fanpage.

Last, but certainly not least...the wristlet.  This is my go-to-bag when I am not sure if I will like a pattern.  This won't be a problem with the Retro pattern.  I already love it.  I am just becoming slightly obsessive about getting wristlets when I get a big bag.  Even though I think this pattern works better on a bigger bag, the wristlet will be mine.

All in all, I think this is the best pattern Disney has released in a long time.  Probably since the 40th Anniversary collection.  I am really excited, even thought I don't have a trip to Disneyland planned anytime soon.  Thankfully, I have made many "friend" in the Disney Dooney community (at least on the Facebook page) and should have no problem getting one.  I can say that I will most likely get the Tassel tote and wristlet.  Even though the tassels are a little goofy, it is the size of the bag I like most.

The other collection released on May 12th will be called "Buttons".  This one will be available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.  No photos have been released yet of this pattern.  Everyone is guessing, and everyone can't wait!!!

No word on if the collections will be available online.  All hope is not lost...the Anniversary bags that were exclusive to each of the parks were eventually offered at Disney Store online.  Of course, the Disney Princess Half Marathon Dooneys and Tinker Bell Half Marathon Dooneys were only available at their respective races (and Limited Edition, at that).  Aulani Dooneys  are still super-exclusive to Aulani...you can't even order them via phone orders!!!

Most of all, I am hoping that there is a Retro Walt Disney World line in the works!!!

Love to All.